Conquering Ladakh

Eight trekkers travelled through India’s Markha Valley, and braved it all to summit Mount Karakoram – one of the world’s highest inhabited plateaus. They speak to REENA KARIM about their experience.

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Ladakh is most often described as the land of high passes, snow-clad mountains, and sapphire blue lakes. Its bewitching surroundings and terrains make ideal trails for adventure seekers and lovers of the great outdoors. As part of the infamous Himalayan mountain range this region may be a natural wonder, but with it harsh terrains and bipolar climatic conditions it can make for a less than pleasant journey at times. However these determined trekkers spent seven days braving their way through altitude sickness, rough trails, cold waters and pitch-black darkness to end up on the top of Mount Karakoram – at 17,060 feet (5,200m) – and all agree it was an experience unlike any other.

So what prompted these eight enterprising adventurers to risk life and limb just to get a nice panoramic hilltop view? Well, whether it was seeking new challenges, looking to break away from the concrete jungle, or even raising money for charity, each one of these tried and tested trekkers has a story to tell.